Newham College gains national recognition for equality & diversity

Newham College has been ranked 63 in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, (WEI) 2018. This makes it the highest ranking organisation within the Further Education sector.

The full top 100 list is based on the results of Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2018, the fourteenth published by the charity.

WEI is a benchmarking tool used by employers to help ensure that LGBT employees can be themselves in the workplace. Participating employers demonstrate work in 10 areas of employment policy and practice, from training to community engagement.

This year Stonewall received over 92,000 responses to the employee survey, making it one of the largest national employment surveys in Britain. To supplement evidence submitted by employers, Stonewall also seeks feedback directly from the entrants’ employees.

We’re thrilled to have been ranked so highly, as the College is entirely dedicated to maintaining equality within its workforce and also among its students. Our LGBT committee pioneers many positive initiatives, such as ‘Straight Allies’, which engages staff who actively support their colleagues so that everyone is comfortable in an open environment. After all, love makes the world go round; respect keeps it on its axis. People who can be themselves fully achieve great things

Paul Stephens Newham College Principal and Chief Executive

As February marks LGBT Month, Newham College will unveil a new rainbow-coloured logo to express support for LGBT staff and students and the wider community. Councillor, Steve Brayshaw and Tahmina Rahman, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Mayoral Advisor for Newham have both been invited to attend the event, which will take place 1st February 2018.

Stonewall said:

“Newham College and all those who have made this year’s Top 100 Employers list have done a fantastic job. Taking part in our Index shows real commitment to understanding and advancing LGBT equality. This year, for the first time, the Index looked at what employers were doing for trans equality in the workplace. This work is crucial. We recently published LGBT in Britain: Trans Report, which revealed the profound inequality facing trans people in Britain today. Half of trans people have hidden their identity at work for fear of discrimination. This must change and it’s encouraging to see so many organisations make a commitment to trans equality. With their support and hard work we can create a world where all lesbian, gay, bi and trans employees are welcomed and accepted without exception.”